Tag: William Cash

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate her Department has made of the level of megawatts of new Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) capacity unit that will be commissioned by 2022; and what estimate her Department has made of the total available CCGT capacity by 2022.

Andrea Leadsom

The volume and mix of new capacity which will come forward is determined by the energy market, together with the capacity market mechanism. However, the Updated Energy and Emissions projections published in November 2015 included a reference case of a cumulative total of 5GW of new gas fired capacity and total gas fired capacity of 30GW as at 2022. This includes all forms of gas, including CCGT as well as flexible gas peaking capacity – the mix of new capacity will be determined through technology neutral competition in the capacity market. All projections are sensitive to changes in market conditions: if gas prices remain low, more new gas projects will be economic in this period, relative to ageing coal plant, than if the gas price rises.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will publish the information her Department holds on the (a) process, (b) criteria and (c) guidance followed by the National Grid to deliver (i) supplementary balancing reserve and (ii) black start ancillary services contracts for the next 12 months; and what analysis was taken in advance to inform that delivery.

Andrea Leadsom

These services are a matter for National Grid, and the appropriate documentation is published on their website. The contingency balancing methodologies are available here:

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Services/Balancing-services/System-security/Contingency-balancing-reserve/Methodologies/

These documents also include National Grid’s analysis.

And information on the procurement of the Black Start Service is published here:

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Services/Balancing-services/System-security/Black-Start/Black-start-about-the-service/

National Grid have not published their analysis of this as it is commercially confidential.

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with the European Commission on the application of EU state aid rules related to the provision of (a) Supplementary Balancing Reserve and (b) other Black Start ancillary support contracts provided by the National Grid to Eggborough, Fiddler’s Ferry and Drax power plants; and if she will make a statement.

Amber Rudd

The Supplementary Balancing Reserve and Black Start services are procured directly by the System Operator, National Grid and the Government has no involvement in the tendering, or award of Supplementary Balancing Reserve or Black Start contracts. As such DECC has not discussed these with the European Commission in relation to their application to State Aid.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the financial cost will be to other electricity generators of the proposed supplementary balancing reserve and Black Start payments made to Fiddlers Ferry and Drax power plants.

Jesse Norman

Details of charges and how they are applied are available through National Grid’s website: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/bsuos/. However National Grid does not provide a public breakdown of the costs of individual Black Start and SBR contracts.

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect on the (a) costs and (b) margins of combined cycle gas turbine plants of (i) Supplementary Balancing Reserve and (ii) other Black Start ancillary support subsidy contracts to coal plants.

Andrea Leadsom

The Supplementary Balancing Reserve and Black Start contracts are two important services developed to support National Grid in managing security of supply. Responsibility for these services rests with OFGEM.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to remove any potential conflict of interest between National Grid and its support for new interconnectors to import electricity.

Jesse Norman

There is a case for greater independence for the system operator to promote more competition and flexibility in our electricity system. We are working alongside National Grid and Ofgem to this end, so that the electricity system continues to be operated in the best interest of consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost is of (a) the supplementary balancing reserve and (b) other black start ancillary support contracts provided by the National Grid to (i) Eggborough, (ii) Fiddler’s Ferry and (iii) Drax power plant.

Andrea Leadsom

Information on Supplementary Balancing Reserve and ancillary support contracts is confidential. The cost of contracts with individual suppliers is therefore unavailable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to create a new independent system operator to remove any potential conflict of interest between National Grid and its electricity balancing and management responsibilities.

Jesse Norman

There is a case for greater independence for the system operator to promote more competition and flexibility in our electricity system. We are working alongside National Grid and Ofgem to this end, so that the electricity system continues to be operated in the best interest of consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the National Grid’s (a) Supplementary Balancing Reserve and (b) other Black Start ancillary support contracts to coal plants on the capacity market auction price.

Andrea Leadsom

DECC does not have access to all the commercially confidential details of National Grid procurements such as ancillary support and Supplementary Balancing Reserve (SBR) contracts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate any advantage which fossil fuel generated electricity imported via interconnector has over domestic electricity generation on which carbon price floor rates are applied.

Jesse Norman

Whatever the source, and wherever it is from, we import electricity when the cost is lower than here in the UK, driving down consumer bills. Ofgem’s analysis of proposed interconnector projects shows that the carbon price floor is not the determinate of whether the projects are in the interests of UK consumers.